Dingoes Defy the February Slump: Keep Running, Mamas - Page 5

[Geofizz]

Bbm, are you thinking of returning the kids to school? I didn't know what to make of you fb question.

The room mom thing made me laugh. Serious, no need for a Linked In acct, lady. That's totally in line with some of the stuff that goes on around here. Infully expect that DS will come home with embossed valentines from the kid ofthe room mom. The priorities just aren't mine. Same goes for PTO mommies.

Both meetings with the school are this morning. Wish my kids well, with a team who actually want what's best for both kids.

[babybugmama]

Geo - Not at all... I had a friend who went a little zealous on getting information about a specific school.  Really my kids just wanted to know what it was like at a brick and mortar school...so I put it out there.  It so didn't work. I was a little aggravated because her serial posting made it seem like we were interested in going back to school and totally changed the tone of the questions.  Urgh. I'm still annoyed.  I won't get the answers the kids were looking for and instead all my local friends will be wondering if we're signing up.   Which maybe someday, but not today.

Our valentines (through scouts) are cut out hearts with drawings, stickers, other hearts glued on.  Very handmade, very erm...rustic.

[Nickarolaberry]

AGGGGHHHH. Why am I not getting notifications? I subscribed to the thread. 

On Valentines....nope. We opt out of this one and so does the kids' school, so no worries thankfully. The last couple years the kids did them at their school in FL and it drove me batty. 

However, Purim is coming up, which requires: 1) costumes; 2) the making of foods to give away to people; and 3) coordination of all of the above. Also, if Purim is coming, that means...du du du duuuummmmmm, Passover is not too far away and that spells S T R E S S

Ok anyway. I have at least one Harry Potter for Purim, so I am thinking part of the food packages to give away will be jelly bellys (but good flavors, no vomit or ear wax.  )

Bec, I think you should go for it. I know when we were looking for houses it took a few agents before we found someone who 'got' us and could actually listen to what we were looking for as opposed to showing us everything and anything -- the throw the spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks technique is not a good idea in real estate! If you're good at intuiting how to match people with what they need/want, that's a true gift and you should explore it!

Mel and Shanti, hope your dinglets are feeling better!

BBM sorry you got frustrating responses on FB. Even though I am not homeschooling, I teach on a homeschooling site and am a wannabe and I find that a lot of people just don't get it at all and think it's ... hmm, there's a hebrew word for this, b'dieved, which sort of means 'after the fact' or 'second choice' -- like, really you're just doing it temporarily hoping for something to get better so you can send your kids to school. Do you know what I mean? A lot of folks just don't understand that it's the first choice and optimal choice for many, and curiosity about school is just that...curiosity and nothing more.

Speaking of homeschooling I came across the coolest thing the other day while I was in Amherst...there's a homeschooling center for teens there called Northstar. They have a building where classes are offered but they aren't mandatory classes, and they're offered when there's a consensus about what the kids want, etc. IT's very interesting... www.northstarteens.org

So I got an email yesterday with a possible offer to teach AP Euro History next year at the high school where I was subbing for 6 weeks. I said let's talk -- and it could be a good opportunity, *if* they can work with my schedule (it's 45 mins. away and I need to be home by 3:30); and *if* they have more than one course to offer me, since it's not worth the commute to teach one class. So we'll see but it's nice to be offered.

RR: 6 on the mill this morning. The lady next to me smelled really bad. Ick.

[JenLove]

Nic ~ Cool concept on that school. I'd love to be in an area with a large group of homeschoolers and offer some type of co-op school. Most of the homeschooling moms I know have degrees and specialities and we could trade classes. My Gram is still hanging on, but is now on oxygen and morphine so she will rest comfortably.

Prayers, good thoughts, or anything you can pass along to lift up my family and send her home are greatly appreciated. 

[JayGee]

JenLove ~ prayers for your gran

Geo ~ hey, I'm a PTO mommy !  Seriously though, I know what you mean.  A Linked-In profile for a SAHM?  Really?  Good luck today with your school meetings and keep us posted.

Nic ~ the teaching opportunity sounds great, if they can make it work and offer more classes.  Here's hoping! 

BBM ~ that's frustrating.  Around here, everyone who homeschools is hard-core fundamentalist Christian.  And while I definitely consider myself a Christian, that would not be my reasoning behind homeschooling. In fact, my neighbor has gotten flack within her fundamentalist congregation for NOT homeschooling (ie. how can you possibly send your kids to PUBLIC school with all those heathens???") 

We're making our valentines today.  A total of 58 between the 3 kids' classrooms.  Ours will include ONE Hershey kiss (as the letter "O" in Love).  I'll take a picture, because I think they're going to be pretty cute.

RR ~ walked for an hour yesterday.  Not sure about what I'll do today since it's 100% gross outside (sleety rain).  Must do something though.

NRR ~ I have been in denial for the last couple of months about my weight.  Today, I forced myself onto the scale when I got up ~ 132.5.  Keep in mind that I'm barely 5'1".  That puts me in the "overweight" category.  I've been spending my afternoons snarfing back M&Ms, making butter sandwiches, and baking "for the kids".  Couple that with my relative lack of exercise over the last few months and you get a total of +19 pounds since October .  I'm disgusted by myself.  Seriously, I don't even want DH to see my body right now.  I'm heavier than I've ever been, except when pregnant.  It's got to stop.  I'm almost 44 years old, my metabolism ain't what it used to be, and perimenopause is knocking at the door.  I cleaned out the pantry already this morning.  Kids got the last of the M&Ms in their lunches, and I tossed the chips/cookies/crap that was left over.  If it's not here, I can't eat it, right?

[Shantimama]

Nic - What other Purim costumes are in the works for this year? What foods will you be making?

jooj - glad you have your kitty and some beach-running time 

We live in a rural area and when we were homeschooling we had an amazing network of families for the first few years. We did some great stuff with the kids. Then life led to some moves, life changes, etc and the group dissolved. I ran into one of the moms from it last month and we shared some great memories. I often miss homeschooling but I have no desire to do it in an isolated way which would be our reality now and my kids are all doing so well in school. Homeschooling was the best thing for them when we did it and school is that now, thank goodness, as I don't think I could do it the way I used to any more.

I got home just after midnight last night and dd2 was moaning in her sleep. This morning she is tired and achey and she is right at that point of being 1-2 days before breaking out if she did contract chicken pox from her sister's shingles. Looks like I will have both girls home for the rest of the week, just to let them rest and recover. They are huge Little House on the Prairie fans and I bought the last season for them when it was on sale and have it tucked away upstairs. I have a couple of spiritual direction clients scheduled to come today so it looks like today is their lucky day TV wise!

Not sure if I will get out for any kind of a run today but will get a good walk in for sure.

[Plady]

Jennie - Sending peaceful loving thoughts to you and your family.

Bec - I think that's really exciting that you have had this realization.  That alone will help you see opportunities you wouldn't have recognized before.  I'm impressed too, because selling is something I'm TERRIBLE at and would not be something I'd go looking to do.  I love how everyone has their own special thing! :)

Shanti - Huge hugs mama.  You've got so much riding on you in that unconscious way (not unconscious to you).  I've known a husband to do the same exact thing with the brownie pan.  Gar!

Nic - Congrats to your ds and good luck getting something solid with the school!  That could be exciting!

Geo - Hoping for some awesomeness in education coming to you TODAY!

Real - I'm so glad that DO1 Done made you laugh, late in the night after I'd posted I worried that I was being to flip about such a exhausting test of parental endurance.  Any movement on the tooth?  I thought about trying teething tablets, I think the homeopathics in those are meant to help move teeth from one stage to the next.

Jo - Glad your kitty is home and feeling fine.  And good to have yourself positioned one click away from a possibly better option for the kids.

Kerc - Ugh!  I'm sorry you've got such an idiot to deal with at work!

MelW, Sparkle, Shanti - Hope all the illness is on its way out today.

NRR: I've made some progress on home projects.  Of course, dh had cited wanting to be near me as one of his issues about me not being around during the day but so far he's been spending all of his time outside taking care of things he's either buying (39 hens) or selling (our airstream) on FB.  Maybe I'll see him a bit today while I'm not at the gym.

All this talk of Valentine's Day reminds me that I'm not that room mother either, although I know her.  I'd like to think that this kiind of project could be done without me.  Magical thinking anyone?

RR: I lifted possibly too much on Monday and then yesterday possibly punched too hard in boxing and by last night every muscle was crying.  I had to get to bed extra early because I just couldn't deal.  Happily 600 mg of Vit I last night and a decent night's sleep and I feel functional this morning.

[kerc]

Originally Posted by babybugmama 

Geo - Not at all... I had a friend who went a little zealous on getting information about a specific school.  Really my kids just wanted to know what it was like at a brick and mortar school...so I put it out there.

FWIW: I read it and I thought you were looking for enrollment info. Because of the nature of facebook I would have understood it better if you'd included more background (or a disclaimer).
 

Originally Posted by Geofizz 

Both meetings with the school are this morning. Wish my kids well, with a team who actually want what's best for both kids.

Yes, this! Report back, please.
 

Originally Posted by Nickarolaberry 
So I got an email yesterday with a possible offer to teach AP Euro History next year at the high school where I was subbing for 6 weeks. I said let's talk -- and it could be a good opportunity, *if* they can work with my schedule (it's 45 mins. away and I need to be home by 3:30); and *if* they have more than one course to offer me, since it's not worth the commute to teach one class. So we'll see but it's nice to be offered.

This is good. Maybe they would consider a 3 x a week schedule?  (then again maybe I'm living back in my dreamland high school that had block scheduling).

Originally Posted by JayGee 
NRR ~ I have been in denial for the last couple of months about my weight.  Today, I forced myself onto the scale when I got up ~ 132.5.  Keep in mind that I'm barely 5'1".  That puts me in the "overweight" category. 

So does more weight = more pain?  It's a vicious circle, I suspect.

No running yesterday due to aforementioned jerk making more work for me. gah. But my review with the provost went well and I did my best to rally for the program.

Real:  I cannot answer those questions. But I will say: three diapers for a 15 min library visit is better than zero diapers for a three hour one. Both are equally possible with my uber smart but not real life smart husband.
 

[babybugmama]

I guess I thought when I couched it in terms of my kids had some questions...but eh, it doesn't matter that much.  She was just curious how her day was different from her friends at school.  

Thanks Nic for you words, I hadn't really thought about it in those terms.  One thing I struggle with is that others assume I am judging their choices for school, and I can't.  Each family, each child is unique and has their own specific needs.  Who am I to say what is right for others families?  I just can't. It's what works for us, for now.  I caveat because I recognize that it may not always.  I hope it does, but I recognize it may not.  I never felt defensive of my choices before, but I find more are challenging me and I am getting more defensive.  I also find others seem to think I'm going to judge them for choosing a different route.  That's frustrating.  Eh.  I'm too edgy today.

[kerc]

Originally Posted by babybugmama 

I guess I thought when I couched it in terms of my kids had some questions...but eh, it doesn't matter that much.  She was just curious how her day was different from her friends at school.  

Don't misunderstand me: I didn't read what all your friend posted. I probably just leaped to a crazy conclusion (--> oh gosh, is dd not liking homeschooling?).

[babybugmama]

We have good days and bad.  We started something new where she gets a list of what we have to do for the week and she picks what and when...she's been working so that she can have Fridays off.  It has helped a lot.  Although today, eh, not so much.  Maybe that's part of my sensitivity, it has been hard.  Honestly I think she'd be grouchy about school no matter where she did it.  E on the other hand, loves it. Blasts through 4 math lessons at a time...etc.  I think I'm a little worn out, burnt out.  Don't mind me.

[kerc]

serial posting. FWIW: I get a lot of flack from my homeschooling friends (probably perceived flack, not actually real) that I don't homeschool my kids. I hesitate to post LOTS of school related stuff on facebook and elsewhere because of that.

[babybugmama]

I could see that Kerc. It's a shame.  I wish we could all be more supportive of our choices.  No situation is perfect, not school or homeschool.  There are good and bad aspects to both unique to each individual.  Why others feel they can make that judgment is beyond me.  I really am in a foul mood today, I hope my posts aren't coming off really snotty and if they are I am so very sorry. I don't mean them to be.  I'm having a really bad anxiety day, I'm frustrated about that and sick of it.  Dd is getting on my nerves and it's not totally her fault...and so I think I'm 'kicking the dog' so to speak.  I am sorry you get flak or perceive flak.  We all do the best we can for our kids, it's all that can be asked.  Thanks for checking in with me, it means a lot.

[1jooj]

Did you ladies see RM is also looking for info on hsing?

Turned into a rough emotional day for me today. Would you ladies give me your honest opinion? (Of course you would, duh.) Should I be concerned? Or, rather, how concerned does it sound, from over there, like I should be? Should I be emergency planning? If so, what the heck? This place is just not set up for individual emergency planning. And, what if something happens while dh is abroad? How weird and crazy does it really sound? I don't get a lot of coverage and from rumblings, it seems like I'm missing a lot. Or it could be that American media likes to make more of maybe nothing. Or something.

OKthanks.

[kerc]

uh. Just saying: I instantly thought of you and wondered if your dh was home or traveling abroad.

(yes I am working today. I'm just pissed at my colleague so my door is shut).

[sparkletruck]

Jo - Im looking but cant find anything - What is going on?

[babybugmama]

ditto sparkletruck...

[babybugmama]

I'm always willing to answer questions about hs'ing, but there are a gazillion different ways that one can do it...not to mention everything I've said before. I can only speak to our experience...

[Geofizz]

Also looking at news sites and not putting pieces together...  He's not in Syria, is he?

The meetings represent highs and lows.  The school psych thinks the neuropsych missed 2 diagnoses.  I agree with one.  Not the other.  They've put her fast tracked towards special ed, and the school psych's taking all the tests we presented as valid and will be collecting writing samples and back to what I started asking about in kindergarten *finally* an OT evaluation.  They want to retain her in 6th grade math.  :(  They're not going to do that without a fight.  I know my kid, her self-esteem, and her strengths and weaknesses.  She's doing 7th grade next year.

DS is a question of not *if* but *when* he does a full grade skip.  Uhhh, hello?  Who brought up grade skip?  Not sure I like that.  The best solution puts him in 1st grade asap and simultaneously move him to 2nd grade math.  The school psych and I pushed the kindergarten teacher (who wasn't in the 1st meeting, of course) on all sorts of reading and writing thing looking for signs of K's issues.  She was totally flustered and bewildered, then it came out how little she's doing for him.  I'm now thinking that we move him to 1st grade next week.  Their plan puts him back into the Montessori-esque program that was a bad fit for DD.  We could keep it to half a year if we need to, though.

[Plady]

Jo, all I'm finding for hot spots today is that Syria is coming apart at the seams.  Is dh traveling?  What are you hearing about?  I recall that when we were still in Mexico we got a lot of concern from friends in the US that it was such a dangerous place to live but we hadn't seen any real evidence of that.  When we first arrived back here I was shocked at how scary the news was.  I suspect that there is a lot of similarities with the reporting on all thing Middle East.  However, judging from that Time cover that made the rounds a while back (flames and death in Cairo on international editions vs. some public interest drivel on the domestic edition), we certainly don't get all the news of the world, especially if it's scary and might make us want to do something.  But, things do seem to be heating up there in a new and active way.  And it is a long way from neutral ground.  I send you prayers that you can find the right balance between caution and fear and have a plan that you feel comfortable about.

BBM -